The Sunday Mail
Tanyaradzwa Kutaura
Cultural exchange programmes between Zimbabwe and India are crucial in cementing political and economic relations between the two countries, a senior government official has said.
Secretary for Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Mr Prince Mupazviriho yesterday said cultural programmes were crucial for Zimbabwean artists to showcase their skills to the world.
He said this in an interview with The Sunday Mail at the India in the Sunshine City Festival held at Glamis Arena in Harare.
The festival, which started on Thursday and ends next Sunday, brings together Indian and Zimbabwean artists and is being held in Bulawayo and Harare.
Said Mr Mupazviriho: “We have bilateral ties with India and that relates to every other aspect, be it political or economic
“This is a people-to-people engagement and is now at a level were Zimbabweans and Indians are sharing their way of living; sharing their cultures and this brings the two much closer. In Zimbabwe we also have a huge Indian community both from an economic point of view and to the point of being citizens.
“So when we then have these cultural exchanges and exhibitions they bring the cohesiveness of the people of Zimbabwe.
“As a ministry, we are there to promote our cultural expressions through our artists performing at the ongoing event.”
In another interview, India’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Rungsung Masakui applauded Government for supporting the festival. “This is the 3rd edition of our annual arts festival ‘India In the Sunshine City’; a festival of India in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“The event has a lot of activities which include dance, music and yoga. I would like to thank the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts, and Recreation, Ministry of information, Ministry of Tourism for supporting us to host this festival.
“This year’s edition is bigger than previous editions. We have achieved a milestone from our previous editions, it is colourful and is being graced by a lot of people. Next year we are planning to send Zimbabwean artistes to perform in India,” he said.
